Right-Hand Drive Countries 2026: 75 Drive on the Left
Seventy-five countries and territories keep left while 175 keep right, covering about 35% of the world's population — listed here continent by continent.
Seventy-five countries and territories drive on the left against 175 on the right, roughly 35% of the world's population, concentrated in former British colonies and Japan.
Seventy-five countries and territories drive on the left and 175 on the right, which puts about 35% of the world’s population on the side that unsettles visiting drivers. The left-hand bloc is not random: former British colonies, Japan and a stretch of Southeast Asia, which is why the switch tends to arrive at a border rather than gradually. The list below sorts every jurisdiction by continent, and the crossings where the system changes mid-journey are the ones worth reading twice before you collect a hire car on the unfamiliar side.
Key Findings
- 75 countries and territories drive on the left (right-hand drive vehicles)
- 175 countries and territories drive on the right (left-hand drive vehicles)
- Left-hand traffic is concentrated in former British colonies, Japan, and parts of Southeast Asia
- Most of continental Europe, the Americas, and mainland Asia drive on the right
Left-Hand Traffic Countries (Drive on the Left)
Regional Distribution
- Africa: Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
- Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand
- Europe: Cyprus, Guernsey, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Malta, United Kingdom
- North America: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States Virgin Islands
- Oceania: Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu
- South America: Falkland Islands, Guyana, Suriname
Why Some Countries Drive on the Left
The left/right split has historical roots:
- Medieval Europe: Most people rode on the left (sword arm towards oncoming traffic). Napoleon standardised right-hand traffic in continental Europe.
- British Empire: The UK and its colonies adopted left-hand traffic. Most retained it after independence.
- Sweden’s switch: Sweden switched from left to right on 3 September 1967 (Dagen H), causing temporary chaos but reducing accidents long-term.
- Japan: Drives on the left by convention dating to the samurai era, later formalised under British railway engineering influence.
Border Crossings Between Systems
Some notable border crossings where the driving side changes:
- Thailand (right) to Malaysia (left): Bridge crossings with gradual lane switches
- China (right) to Hong Kong/Macau (left): Dedicated changeover bridges
- Continental Europe (right) to UK (left): Channel Tunnel exits onto left-side roads
- Mozambique (left) to most neighbours (right): Road junctions at borders
Tips for Driving on the Opposite Side
- Rent an appropriate vehicle — get a car with the steering wheel on the correct side for the country
- Take extra care at roundabouts and junctions — these are where mistakes most commonly happen
- Stay focused when roads are empty — instinct pulls you back to your habitual side
- Use visual cues — keep the centre line on your right (left traffic) or left (right traffic)
Related Tools & Guides
- Compare Driving Rules — side-by-side country comparison
- Interactive World Map — visual map of driving rules
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Frequently Asked Questions
75 countries and territories drive on the left side of the road, representing about 35% of the world's population.
Historical convention dating to medieval times, when riding on the left kept the sword arm (right hand) towards oncoming traffic. The UK formalised this into law and spread the practice through its empire.
Samoa switched from right to left in 2009 to align with Australia and New Zealand. It was the last country to change. Myanmar reportedly switched in the 1970s from left to right.
Most drivers adapt within a day or two. The biggest challenges are roundabouts, turning at junctions, and muscle memory when roads are quiet. Automatic transmission helps reduce the adjustment.
No. Your standard driving licence (with IDP if required) is valid regardless of which side of the road the country uses.